Top leaders of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal (SSFN) have dismissed the possibility of talks with the government unless the latter sends a separate invitation addressing the Sanghiya Gathabandhan. The remarks comes at a time when some parties in the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, also a part of the alliance, are planning to attend talks with the government. The SSFN leaders said that the government was deliberately trying to create rift in the Madhesi-Janajati alliance by refusing to acknowledge the existence of the Gathabandhan.

“It’s a ploy to weaken this alliance and the ongoing protest against the government and constitution. Such attitude on the part of the government won’t help in creating environment for talks,” said senior SSFN leader Ashok Rai, who was instrumental in forging the alliance between Madhesi and Janajati forces.

Accusing some parties in the Gathabandhan of trying to belittle the role of Morcha, Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato said last week that the Morcha would unilaterally sit for talks with the government. He said that Morcha’s existence cannot be ignored as it is directly linked to the existence of the Madhes movement. The Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party and the Sadbhawana Party—two key Madhesi parties which were at the forefront of the months long protest—are also considering a separate protest in the Tarai amid growing rift with SSFN Chairman Upendra Yadav. Laxman Lal Karna, co-chair of the Sadbhawana Party, said that Morcha allies would resume struggle in the Tarai after three weeks if the crisis remains unresolved.